Method of and apparatus for treating fibrous material



Oct. 5 1926. 1,601,984

J. N. SELVIG METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUS MATERIAL Filed Sept. 27, 1922 2 Sheets-Shea. 1

J. N. SELVIG METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING FIBROUS MATERIAL Filed Sept. 27, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FL! *w sisal Patented Get. 5, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOKN' N. SELVIG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Application filed September 27, 1922. Serial Hen/590,862.

My invention relates to method of and apparatus for treating fibrous material, and more particularly to the breaking and seutching of fibrous material such as hemp, ass, flax and othertfiber producing materials.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of apparatus of simple and inexpensive construction, which may be readi- 1y operated by a person unskilled 1n mechanics, and which will efiectively break into short pieces the woody content of the material and then scutch the material to remove the broken woody pieces therefrom without breaking, weakening or otherwise injuring the fiber.

A more. specific object of my invention is the provision of apparatus so constructed that the fibrous material i bent at certain places in one direction and then bent in the opposite direction, preferably at substantia ly the same places, to insure completely breakin the woody substance of the mate rial; an to this end, my invention preferi ably contemplates the combination of a normally stationary bar over which the material to be treated is fed, rotating means including a set of beater bars arranged to pass the ad acent edge of said bar and to bend the material at certain places thereover in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means and also including a set of beater bars which are adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the res ctive first mentioned beat,- er bars and to nd the material over said edges at substantially the same places but in the opposite direction.

Fibrous materials absorb a considerable amount of moisture and, when they are in 1 a damp condition, because of their inherthat the woody content of the material, even when the material is in a damp condition, is effectively broken and at the same time the fiber is well loosened on the pieces of woody material so it may be easily scrutched therefrom. It is a further object of my invention, therefore, to structed that it wi bend the material in the manner described; and, to this end, preferably, the stationary bar is tangentially positioned with respect to the orbital path traveled by the first set of beater bars and the side of said stationary bar adjacent thereto is under-beveled while the res tive edges of the upper beater bars are a so under-beveled.

1provide apparatus so con- It is a further objectof my invention to i provide an apparatus soconstructed that it will operate with a minimum amount of power and without being subjected to any severe strains or stresses; and this object is preferably accomplished by arranging the adjacent the rear side of the stationary bar,

one of said rollers preferably being yieldably supported relative to the other, which are driven at such speeds that the material is fed over the forward edge of the stationary bar at a redetermined rate with respect to the rotative speeds of the res tive sets of beater bars, being held by sai rollers while the woody content of the material ,is reessively broken 'into pieces of the desired ength and is scutched from the fibers of l H the material. ent, tough, yielding characteristics it is A further object of my invention is the provision of means, preferably in the form of a bar floatingly supported over the stationary bar, whereby the short ends of the stalks of fibrous material after leaving the feed rollers will be held until the extremities of the stalks approach quite closely the for ward edge of the stationar bar over which the are broken, thus an jectin substant'i y the entire lengths of the sta of material to the bending, breaking and scutchin actions of the beater bars.

l t is a further object of my invention to provide an apparatus so constructed that it will not only effectively break the woody templates the provision of an apparatus pref scutched by the first set of beater barson one side and then on the other side by thoseerably so constructed. that the materialis of the second set; the first set of bars are so arranged relative tothe respective bars of the second set that the fiber is stretched rather taut across the respective edges of the bars of the first set and these-operating edges of the bars of the second set, while the into sho short lengths of woodymatter arerocked on the respective edges of the bars of the second set, the rear ends being pushed between the strands of fiber by the respective bars of the first set to such an extent that the woody pieces are eflectively loosen'edfrom the fiber and a considerable part of the woody matter is separated from the fiber at this point. Any woody pieces remai in the fiber are sc'ut-ched outby'the beater are of the second set,'this being accom lished preferably by rotating the two sets 0 beater bars in opposite dir'eitions but at the same rotative speed and causing the bars of the second set to travel at a peripheral'speed greater than that of the bars of thefirst set, for example, by CIproviding supporting means for the secon set-of bars of greater radii than those of the means sup orting the first set of bars. Since .the materia is held by the feed rollers, the floating bar, or by both the feed rollers and the floating bar and is drawn around rather taut over the forward edge of the stationary bar and" then over the respective edges of the beater bars of the firstset and the wood content thereof has been broken rt pieces and loosen from the fiber it will be apparent, when t e beater bars of the second set travel. at a relatively higher peripheral speed, that said heater bars upon caving the respective bars of the first set will readily scutch and separate from the fiber any woody matter remaining therein.

'the material being "It is a further object of my invention to pgovide means whereby the apparatus may readily adjusted so that it will handle fibrous material either fine of coarse or, when treated. is more-or less frail, it may be a justed so that such material may be handled less severely and the wood matter broken and separated from the fi er without placing the latter under any severe strain; and, to this end, preferably the stationary bar over which the material is fed is made adjustable relative to the first set of beater bars, so that said bar ma be moved-awaylfrom or toward the path traveled b said bars, and the beater bars of the secon set are arranged to be adjusted ,eration of the apparatus. It is a further angularly relative to the driving means for the shaft on which they are mounted so that the desired clearances may be obtained between the barsof the second set and the respective bars of the first set.

The heater bars travel at a considerable speed and vacuo'us pockets form behind the respective bars. The fiber after the woody matter has been removed therefrom, is light and there isa considerable tendency for the fiber to be drawn into the orbital paths of the respective sets of beater bars, thus becoming injured and interfering with the 2pject of my invention to provide means so arranged that this is prevented and the fiber is maintained in the intended path through the machine. j

'The invention consists in the novel constructions,, arr ments and devices to be hereinafter descri d and claimed for carrying out the above stated "objects and such other objects aswill up at from the following specification, and it consists further in the improved niethod of treating fibrous material to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated in certain preferred embodiments in the accompanying drawings, wherein V Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one side of an apparatus embodying the principles of my invention, certain parts thereof being broken away;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the opposite side of the apparatus;

- Fig. 3 is, a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the apparatus, the cover or housing thereof having been removed and certain parts of the apparatnsbroken out;

' F g. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line Hot Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; showin the means whereby the second set of beateriars may be an arly adjusted relative to the driving an supporting shaft therefor;

Fig.6 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 5; and

Fi 7, 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views showing the relative positions of the beater bars an'd'the horizontal stationary bardnring the bending and scutchina of the materia Like characters of reference designate like? l he upper end of theframe member 15 is rollers 19 and 24.

provided with an angularly positioned flange 18. A feed roller 19, journaled in the side frame members 12, is positioned just ahead of the flange 18. normally sta-. tionary bar 20 is positioned roller 19, being secured to the respective side frame members 12 by cap screws 21. The

bar 20 is provided with transversely extending slots 22 throu h which the cap screws extend so that saidiar may be adjusted relative to the frame members 12. A pair of arms 23 are pivotally connected at their forward ends to the respective side frame members 12. A feed roller 24, adapted to cooperate with the roller .19, is 'ournaled in the arms-23. Vertically exten ing rods 25 having theirupper ends hooked over the rear ends of the' respectivearms 23 extend through brackets 26 which form a part of, or are ri idly secured to, the transverse frame member 15. Washers 27 are slipped over the lower ends of the rods 25 and are prevented from slipping off by nuts 28. Springs 29 are coiled about the rods 25, being interposed between the undersides of the brackets 26 andthe upper sides of the washers 27, res ectively. The upper feed roller 24, there ore, is yieldingly supported relative to the roller 19, being nor-mall pulled down toward the roller 19. A troug 30 is attached to the rear end of the machine in such manner that the material to be treatedmay be fed therefrom to the A shaft 31 is journaled in the frame members 12 and is provided with a pulley 32, said shaft being connected to a suitable source of power, for example, a motor 33 by a belt 34 trained over said pulley and the pulley of the motor. A pair ofspiders 35 are fixed to the shaft 31 and support the beaterbars 36, said spiders being an larly displaced relative to each other so t at the beater bars are spirally arranged substantially as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A shaft 37 is also journaled in the side frame members 12 and is driven from and at the same speed as the shaft 31 by gears 38 and 3,9 fixed to said respective shafts, the shaft 31 being driven in an anticlockwise direction, and the shaft 37 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4. A, pair ofj spiders 40 are fixed to the shaft 37 and support the beater bars 41, said spiders bein s ngularly displaced relative to each ot er so that the beater bars are spirally arranged but oppositely with respect to the beater bars 36.

On one side of the a paratus a sprocket wheel 42 is fixed to the shaft 31 and a sprocket Wheel 43 is fixed to the roller 24, said sprocket wheels being connected by a chain 44. On the opposite side of the machine a sprocket wheel 45 is fixed to the shaft 37 and a sprocket wheel 46 is fixed to the roller 19, said sprocket wheels being conahead of the h nected by a chain 47. The rollers 19 and 24, therefore, rotate in the same direction as the shafts 37 and=31 Frespectively.

The gear 38 is split circumferentially, the ab portion 38,'and the rim portion 38" thereof being. connected b bolts 48. The rim portion 38" is provi ed with circumferentially extending slots 49 through which said bolts are inserted 'sothat it may be adjnsted angularly with respect to the hub portion, the latter being 'fixed to the shaft 37 in any desired manner. A bar 50- is fioatingly supported over the stationar bar 20, being attached to the forward en s of a pair of arms 51 which are pivotally connected at their rear ends to the respective arms23.

The fiber maybe carried away by a conveyor 52 extendirigtsover suitable rollers 53 and 54 fixed to sh 55 and 56, respectively, which are journaled in the side members 12.

The shaft 56 is providedwith a sprocket 57 and the shaft 37 is provided with a sprocket 58, a chain 59 extending over said sprockets to drive the conv yor. The top of the apparatus may be closed by a hinged cover 60. The bottom of;,tlie apparatus is provided with a hopper f fil having an outlet 62 through which. the pieces of woody matter sitter being separated from the fiber may rro ransversel extending nozzles 63 and 64- are tangentia disposed relative to the respective orbits paths traveled by the beater bars 36 and 41, see Fig. 4, these nozzles being connectedby pipes, 65 and 66 with a blower 67, the latter being operatively connected with the motor 33.

0pemti0ri.The material to be treated is placed in the feed trou h 30 and movedforwardly until it is caug t by the feed rollers 19 and 24. The feed rollers are referably small in diameter so they will so stantially flatten the stalks of material and prepare themfor the bending operations to follow. The feed rollers push the stalks of material forwardly over the stationary bar 20 and under the floatingbar 50. Assuming the woody substances of the stalks are to be broken at points an inch apart and that one of the beater bars 36 is just leaving the working edge of thestationary bar 20, the drivin that sald rollers are operated at a'speed sufficient'to advance the stalks of material one inch over the working edge of the stationary bar 20 before they are attacked by the next followin beater bar. In the case assumed, the location of the shaft 37 and the radii of the s iders 4-0 are such that the orbital path trave ed by the working edges of the beater bars 41 is substantially one inch from the working edge of the stationary bar 20, also the firstoand second set of beater bars are so arranged and rotated with relationto each means for the feed rollers is suchother that the worlu'ng edge of one of the bars 36 will have trave ed a distance of sub- ,stantially one inch, away from the working edge of the bar 20, before the working edge ofthe co-operating bar 41 begins to move across the working edge of said bar 36.

The stalks of material lying side by side with ,their free ends progressively advanced.

beater bars 41 and are bent, at substantially the same plaees,upwardly over the working -edges ofthe' ective beater bars 36 The relative] positions of the beater bars 36 and 41 with respect to each other and 1 ing the with res t to the stationary bar 20 dur- '.nding of the material are illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 7 8.and 9. Referrin to Figs. 4 and 7 it will be noted that the ar 20 is tangentially disposed relative to the orbital ath traveled by the ter bars 36 ends so that its side 20 is under-beveled. It will also be noted fIOIlI' Figs. 4 and 8 that the respective beater bars 36 are also under-beveled at 36*. The orbital path traveled by the beater bars 36 relative to the stationary bar 2 is such that the ends of the stalks are bent around through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees; in'the apparatus shown in the draw' the free ends of the material are,carrie around" through an angle of substantially one hundred and twenty degrees, see Fig. 7. The orbital path traveled y {the beater bars4l withrespect to the r bital path traveled by the beater bars 36' is such that the free ends of the material are not only bent over the working edges of. the res ective beater bars 36 at sub- ;stantially, t e same places but they are carried through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees in the opposite direc- 'tion, the angle through which the ends of the material are carried by the beater bars 41, in the apparatus shown, being also substantially one hundred and twenty degrees, see Fig. 8. This arrangement insures a complete break of thewoody content of the stalks even though the material (,OIItHlH considerable moisture 71nd be in a damp condition and it also insures the fibers being effectively loosened from both sides of the broken off pieces of woody matter.

The bending and scutching operations performed on the material will best .be under stood by reference to Figs. 7, 8 and 9. In Fig. 7 a stalk of material is shown as having been attacked at the points m, y and 2 by the beater bars 36 and having been attacked at the point an by one of the beater bars 41, the woody piece a being shown as completely broken oif and the wood iecesb and 0 as partially broken off. "ia 'ng up the operations on the stalk at this int-the beater bar 36continuestraveling' ownward- 1y, as shown by the arrows and the beater bar 41 moves across the wor ing edge of the bar 36, as shown by the arrows, substantially into the positions shown in Fig. 8, which causes the piece I) to be completely broken off at the oint 'v and to be rocked on the working e go of the bar 41, the rear end of said p ece b being ushed downwardly by the working edge of the bar 36 and thus the iece b is torn loose from the fibers which at t 's time are stretched rather taut down over theworking edge of the bar 20 andacross the working ed es of the bars 86' and 41. The bars 36 and E1. continue advancing in their respective paths and as the bar 41 soon moves clear of the piece-btheworlrin edge of the bar 36 scutches on the upper si e the fiber holding the iece b, which continues to be'draw-n more or ess taut over the worki g ,edges of the bars 20, .36 and 4 1, with'the c nsequent result that the into a position substantial y as shown in Fi 9. At this point the piece b is likely to e freed from the fiber, m which case it falls into the hopper uiiderneath. The woody piece a is shown still clingingto the fiber, it not having been entirely scutched out by the bar 36, but, since the piece a is only very insecurely held by the fiber. and lies.

directly in front of the bar 41, it is readily freed by the scutching action of said bar which takes place on the under side of the fiber. In the embodiment. illustrated in the dravifmgs, the angular'speedof the beater bars 41 is ,the same as that of the' beater bars 36. The peripheral speed of the beater bars 41, however, is greater than that of the beater bars 36 because the radii of the arms of the spidersiO supporting the beater bars 41 is made -greater than those of thearms of the spiders 35 supporting the beater bars 36. Therefore, after the beater bars 41 cross the respective beater bars 36, the distance between the working edges of said bars 36 and i1 pnogressively increases. This arrangement enables the bar 41 to move clear of the piece 6 quicker so that said piece is subject- 'ed to the full scutching effect of the bar 36. It will be observed that the pieces of woody matter are scutched from the fiber while the fiber is drawn taut and, therefore, the like lihood of the woody pieces becoming entangled in the fiber is reduced to a minimum.

It will be noted that the clearance between the lower edge of the surface QOof the bar20 and the orbital path traveled by the beater bars 36 is considerably greater than that between the upper edge of said surface and said path. The clearance beiece b is forced I its.

tween the upper edge of the respective surfaces 36" of the beater bars 36 and the orbital path traveled by the beater bars 41 is considerably greater than that between the lower edge of said surface and said path. This arrangement relieves the fiber of all unnecessary strains while it is bent and scutched by the respective beater bars. The distance between the respective beater bars 41 and 36 increases after the bars 41 pass the respective bars 36 thus increasingly relieving the fiber of all unnecessary strain immediately after the woody matter has been separated from it.

The floating bar 50 serves to hold the short ends of the stalks of material after they leave the feed rollers 19 and 24 so that the stalks throughout their entire length are subjected to the bending and scutching actions hereinbefore described. The bar 50 also weights the stalks of material down and prevents them from tilting on the bar 20 when attacked by the beater bars 36.

The bar 20 being adjustable relative to the orbital path traveled by the beater bars 36 and the beater bars 41 being angularly adjustable relative to the beater ars 36, it will be apparent that the apparatus may be readily adjusted to handle either fine or coarse material, or, when the material han dled is frail, the parts may be adjusted so that the fiber is not subjected so severely to the bending and scutching operations.

The heater bars 36 and 41 are operated at a fairly high rate of speed and because of the positions of these respective bars vacuous pockets form behind the bars into which the light fibers are likely to be drawn, consequently causing the fibers to follow and wind on the beater bars which is likely to injure the fibers and also interfere with the operation of the apparatus. By providing the tangentially positioned nozzles 63 and 64 delivering air at a considerable velocity, the vacuous pockets are destroyed and the fibers, under the co-operating action of the air currents from said nozzles, are blown straight out over the conveyor 52 and carried in the intended path of travel uninjured from the apparatus. I

From the foregoing description it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that my apparatus is of simple and inexpensive con struction, requiring but a minimum amount of power to operate, and also that it may be operated by persons unskilled in mechanics. It will effectively remove substantially all the woody matter from the fiber without breaking, weakening or otherwise injuring the fiber to any appreciable extent. Furthermore, because of the manner in which the material is bent and scutched it is not neccssar to over-ret the material, as is frequently one to enable a larger percentage of the woody content to be removed, consequently, the cleaned fibers are strong and bring the highest market price.

I do not intend to limit my invention to the details of construction shown and described, except only in so far as certain of the appended claims are specifically so limited, as it will be obvious that modifications may be made without departing from the principles of my invention.

I claim:

1. Method of treating fibrous material which consists in bending the material in one direction to effect a breaking action on the woody matter therein, then bending the material at substantially the same place in the opposite direction to complete breaking off the end of said woody matter, and then moving the broken 011' piece of woody matter relative to the fibers to loosen the hold of the fibers thereon.

2. Method of treating fibrous material which consists in bending the material in one direction to effect a breaking action on the woody matter therein, then bending the material at substantially the same place in the opposite direction, one of the bending operations being carried through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees thereby breaking off the end of said woody matter, and then moving the broken off piece of woody matter relative to the fibers to loosen the hold of the fibers thereon.

3. Method of treating fibrous material which consists in bending the material at certain places in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees and then bending it at substantiall the, same places in the opposite direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees, for the purpose specified.

4. Method of treating fibrous material which consists in bending the material in one direction to effect a breaking action on the woody matter therein, then bending the material at substantially the same place in the opposite direction to complete breaking off the end of said woody matter, then moving the broken off piece of woody matter relative to the fibeis to loosen the hold of the fibers thereon, and then removing the broken off piece of woody matter from the fibers.

5. Method of treating fibrous material which consists in bending the material in one direction to effect a breaking action on the woody matter therein, then bending the material at substantially the same place in the opposite direction, one of the bending operations being carried through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees thereby breaking off the end of said woody matter, then moving the broken off piece of woody matter relative to the fibers to loosen the hold of the fibers thereon, and then removing the broken off piece of woody matter from the fibers.

6. Method of treating fibrous material which consists in bending the material at certain places in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees, then bending it at substantially the same places in the opposite direction throu h an angle substantially more than ninety d egrees to break off the woody matter contained therein into short pieces, and then removing the pieces of woody matter therefrom. g

7. Method of treating fibrous material which consists in holding the material at one end, bending said material at the other end first in one direction at certain places to effeet a breaking action on the woody matter therein and then at substantially the same places in the opposite direction to complete reaking off the ends of said woody matter, the broken off pieces of woody matter relative to the fibers to loosen the hold of the fibers thereon, and then scutching the material to remove the pieces of woody matter therefrom.

8. Method of treating fibrous material which consists in holding the material at one end, bending said material at the otherend first in one direction to effect a breaking action on the woody matter therein, then bendin the material at substantially the same lace in the opposite direction, one of the Eending operations being carried through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees thereby breaking of! the end of said woody matter then moving the broken 011' piece of woody matter relative to the fibers to loosen the thereon, and then scutching the material to remove the piece of woody matter therefrom.

9. Method of treating fibrous material which consists in holding the material at one end, bending said material at the other end first in one direction at certain places through an angle substantially more than ninet degrees and then bendin it at substantially the same places in t e opposite direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees to break cfi the woody matter contained therein into short pieces, and then scutching the material to remove the pieces of woody matter therefrom.

10. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of means adapted to bend the material in one direction to effect a breaking action on the woody matter therein, and means ada ted to bend the material at substantially t e same place in the o posite direction to complete breaking off tlie end of said woody matter, said lastnamed means being so arranged that the broken ofi piece of woody matter is moved relative to the fibers thereby loosening the hold of the fibers thereon.

then moving hold of the fibers.

11. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of means adapted to bend the material in one direction to efiect a breaking action on the wood matter therein, and means ada ted to hen the material at substantially tlie same place in the opposite direction, one of said means being capable of carrying one of the bending operations throu h an angle substantially more than ninety degrees thereby breaking off the end of said woody matter, said last-named means being so arranged that the broken oif iece of woody matter is moved relative to the fibers thereby loosening the hold of the fibers thereon.

12. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of means adapted to bend the material at certain places in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees, and means adapted to bend it at substantiall the same places in the opposite direction t ugh an angle substantially more than ninety degrees, for the purpose specified.

13. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a bar over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said first-named bar and to bend the material thereover in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotatingmeans and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass relatively close to the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the opposite direction, for the purpose specified.

14. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationar bar over which the material may be fe rotating means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said bar, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars, said stationary bar being so positioned relative to the ath traveled by said first mentioned beater ars and said first and second mentioned beater bars bein so arranged relative to each other that the rec ends of said material are bent over the edge of said stationary bar in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees and then are bent over the edges of said respective first mentioned beater bars in the o posite direction through an an le substantially more than ninety degrees, or the purpose specified.

15. In apparatus for treating fibrous ma terial, the combination of a stationary bar over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said bar, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars, said stationary bar being so positioned relative to the ath traveled by said first mentioned beater ars and said first and second mentioned beater bars being so arranged relative to each other that the free ends of said material at certain places are bent over the edge of said stationary bar in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees and then are bent over the edges of said respective first mentioned beater bars in the opposite direction at substantially the same places and through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees, for the purpose specified.

16. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationar bar over which the material may be fe rotating means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent side of said bar, said bar being positioned tangentially'with respect to the orbital path traveled by said beater bars and having its said side under-beveled, and means rotatin oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotatin means and having a lurality of beater ars adapted to pass the ad'acent sides of the respective first mentioned eater bars, said sides of said first mentioned beater bars being under-beveled with respect to the orbital path traveled by said second mentioned beater bars, for the purpose specified. v

17. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationar bar over which the material may be fe rotating means includin a plurality of spirally arranged beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said bar and to bend the material successively thereover in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means and having a plurality of beater bars spiralled oppositely from the first mentioned beater bars and adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material successively over said edges in the opposite direction, for the purpose specified.

18. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar over which the material may fed, rotat ing means including a plurality of spirally arranged beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said bar and to bend the material successively at certain places thereover in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means and having a plurality of beater bars spiralled oppositely from the first mentioned beater bars and adapted to pass thecadjaoent edges-of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material successively over said edges at substantially the same places in the opposite direction, for the purpose specified. 19. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of astationary bar over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a plurality of spirally arranged beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said bar, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said firsfmentioned rotating means and having'a plurality of beat-er bars spiralled oppositely from the first mentioned beater bars and adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars, said stationary bar bein so positioned relative to the path travefiuhby said first mentioned beater bars and-said first and second mentioned beater bars'being so arranged relative to each other that the free ends of said material are bent over the edge of said stationary bar successively in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees and then are bent over the edges of said respective first mentioned beater bars successively in the op posite direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees, for the purpose S ecified. v

20. n apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a pluralit of spirally arranged beater bars adapte to pass the adjacent edge of said bar, and means rotating oppositely with respect. to said first mentioned rotating means and having a plurality of beater bars spiralled oppositely from the first mentioned beater bars and adapted to pass the adjacent ed es of the respective first mentioned beater ars, said stationary bar bein so positioned relative vto the ath traveled said first mentioned beater ars and said first and second mentioned beater burs being so arranged relative to each other that the free ends of said material at certain places are 'bent overthe edge of said stationary bar successively in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees and then are bent overthe edges of said respective first mentioned beater bars successively in the op osite drection at substantially the same p aces and through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees, for the purpose s ecified.

21. In apparatus for treating brous material, the combination of a bar over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said first-named bar and to bend the material thereover in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first-named rotating means and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass relatively close to the adjacent edges of the respective first-named beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the opposite direction, the peripheral speed of one of bars being g: eater than that of the other set, for the purpose specified.' Q

22. In apparatus for treating fibrous ma terial, the combination of means for bold ing the material, a stationary bar positioned ahead of said holding means over which the material may be fed, rotating means ineluding a set of bea-terbars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said bar and to bend the material thereover in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means and havin a set of beater bars adapted pass the a acent edges of the res tioned beater bar and to rid the material over said edges {:1 the opposite direction, the peripheral sp ed of one of said sets of beater bars being greater than that of the other set, for the purpose specified.

23. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of means for holding the material, a stationary bar positioned ahead of said holding means over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a set of beater bars adapted to pass the adyacent edge of said bar, and to bend the material at certain places-thereover in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said t mentioned rotating means and having a set of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the materialover said edges at substantially the same places in the opposite direction, the peripheral speed'of one of said sets of beater bars being greater than that of the other set, for the purpose specified.

24. In apparatus for treating fibrous material,the combination of means for holding the material, a stationary ,bar positioned ahead of said holding means over which the material me. be fed, rotating means including a set of eater arranged to pass the ad acent ed e of said bar, and means rotating opposite y with respect to said first mentione rotating means and having a set of beater bars adapted to pass the ad'acent edges of the respective first mentioned ater bars, said stationary bar bein so positioned relative'to the path travele by said first mentioned beater bars and said first and sec ond mentioned beater bars being so arranged relative to each other that the free ends of said material are bent over the edge of said stationary bar in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees and then are bent over the edges of said respective first mentioned beater bars in the said sets of beater ective first menopposite direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees, the peripheral speed of one of said sets of beater bars being greater than that of the other set, for the purpose specified.

25. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of means for. holdin the material, a stationary bar positioned ahead of said holding means over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a set of beater bars arranged to pass the adjacent edge of said bar, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotatin means and having a set of beater bars a apted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater'bars, said stationary bar being so positioned relative to the path traveled by said first mentioned beater bars andsaid first and second mentioned beater bars being so arranged relative to each other that the free ends of said material are bent over the edge bent over the edge of said stationary bar in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety degrees and then are bent over the edges of said respective first mentioned beater bars in the opposite direction at substantially the same places and throu h an angle substantially more than ninety egrees, the peripheral speed of one of said sets of beater bars being greater than that of the other set, for the purpose specified.

26. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of means for holdin the material, a stationary bar positione ahead of said holding means over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said bar and to bend the material thereover in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means but at the same speed and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the ad'acent edges of the respective first mentioned eater bars and to bend the material over saidedges in the opposite direction, the radii of one of said rotating means being greater than those of the other rotating means, for the purpose specified. l

27. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of means for holding the material, a stationary bar positioned ahead of said holding means over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a lurality of beater bars adapted to pass the a jacent edge of said bar and to bend the material at certain places thereover in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means but at the same speed and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges at substantially the same acent edge of 28. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of means for holdin the material a stationary bar position ahead of said holdingmeans over which the material ma be fed, rotating means including a plum pass the adjacent edge of said bar, and means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means ut at thesame speed and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater are, said stationary bar being so positioned relative to the path beater are and said first and secondmentioned beater bars being so arrangedmelative to each other that the free ends oi/saidmaterial are bent over the edge of said station-- bar in one direction through an angle.

si ilistantially mor than ninety degrees and then are bent ove the edges of said respective first mentioned beater bars in the op 0 site direction through an anglesubsta'ntigly more than ninety de race, the radii of one of said rotating means 'eing greater than those of the other rotating means, for the purpose specified.

29. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of means for bold.- ing the material, a stationary bar positioned ahead of said holding means over which the material may be fed, rotating means including a plural ity of beater bars arranged to pass t means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means but at the same speed and having a lurality or beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beat-' er bars,

said stationary bar being so positioned relative to the path traveled b said first mentioned beater bars and sai first and second mentionedbeater bars bein so arranged relative to each other that the" ee ends of said material at certain places are bent over the edge of said stationary bar in one direction through an angle substantially more than ninety do over the edges ofsaid respective first mentioned beater bars in the o posits direction at substantially the samep aces and throu h an angle substantially more than ninety degrees, the radii of-one of said rotating means being greater than those ofthe other rotating means, forthe purpose specified.

30. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a normally stationary means over which the material may be fed rotating means including a pluralsaid stationary means and 'ty of beater bars arranged totraveled by said first mentioned e adjacent edge of said bar, and

ees and then are bent ity of beater means adapted to pass the ad to bend the material thereover at certain places in one direction, and means rotating oppositely with respect to-said first mentioned rotating means and having a plurality of beater means adapted to pass relatively close to the adjacent edges ofthe respective first mentioned beater means and to end the material over said edges in the opposite direction at substantially the same places, one of said first and second mentioned means being adjustable relatively to the otherwhereby the efiect of the first mentioned beater means'on the material being treated may be varied.

311 In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of anormally stationary bar over which the material may'be fed, rotating means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edge of said bar and to bend the material thereover in one direction, and means rotati'ng op ositely with respect to said first m'entione rotatin means and having a a plurality of beater are adapted to pass relatively close to the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the oposite direction, said normally stationary Bar and said second mentioned beater bars being adjustable relatively to said first mentioned beater bars whereby the effect of the two sets of beater bars on the material being treated may be varied.

32. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a normall stationar bar over which the materia may be fed: rotating means including-a lurality of'beater bars adapted to pass t e adjacent edge of said bar and to bend the material'thereover in one direction, said normally stationary bar being ad'ustable relatively -to said beater bars, a s aft rotating oppositely with respect to said rotating means, driving means for said shaft, means carried by said shaft, and heater bars carried by said last mentioned means and adapted to pass relatively close to the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the opposite direction. the means supporting said second men-' tioned beater bars being angularly-adjustable relatively to said driving means,'-for the purpose specified. p

33. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a pair of rotating means.each including a plurality of bars adapted to beat the material, and nozzles connected with a source of air supply and so positioned relative to said respective rotating means and the intended path of travel of the cleaned fiber through the apparatus that the vacuity produced by said rotating means is counteracted and the cleaned fiber is maintained in its said path.

III

34. In apparatus for fibrous material, the combination of a stationary of said rot bar over which the material a be fed, to-

including a pl ty of beater to pass the adjacent edge ta to bend matertihal thereovth, means ro opposi y W! respect said first n ii a nfisioned rota havinfila plurality of beater bars adapted to lpuanss e adjacent edges of the tive mentioned beater bars and to bend the and means for the vacmty reduced by each means an thereby to revent the beaten material from win counterac therearound.

35. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stations bar over which the material ma be f rotatin means including a pli ality of beater are 'adapted to Eggs the adjacent edge of said bar 'and to d the material thereover, means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the ad'acent edges of the respective first mentions beater bars and to bend the material over said edges, and neumatic means associated with each 0 said rotating means and adapted to revent the beaten material from wlnding t erearound.

36. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stations bar over which the material may be fe t? rotatin means including a plurality oi beater are adapted to ass the adjacent edge of said bar and to nd the material thereover, means rotating oppositely with respect to said first mentioned rotating means and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the ective first mentioned beater bars and to nd the material over said ed es, and a nozzle associated with each of sai rotating meanls anddconynzelcterllJ with a source of sliir supp y, sax no es emg so arranged re ative to Tithe respective rotating means that the vacility produced by each of said rotating means is counteracted.

37. In a .paratus for treating fibrous material, e combination of a frame, a roller journaled in said frame, a pair of arms plvotall connected at one end to said ame, a rol er rotatably associated with said arms and co-operatmg with said first mentioned roller and means whereb the other ends of sai arms are normally wn toward said mentioned roller, for the urpose specifi p 38. In a paratus for treating fibrous material, e combination ofi a frame, a roller journaled in said frame, a. pair of arms plvotall connected at one end to said frame, s. ro er rotatably associated with said arms and vac-operating with said first g means and mentioned roller, and tensioning means adapted to draw the other ends of said arms 1 toward said first purpose specified.

39. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar, a pair of feed rollers adjacent one side of sand bar,-rotatmg means including a piurahty of beater bars adapted, to ass the other side of said stationary bar an to bend .the material thereover at certain places in one direction, means rotating oppositely with respect -to said first mentioned rota means andhaving a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass relatively close to the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars andto bend the material over saidedges in the o posite direction at substantially the same p aces, and mean to dnve said roll so that the material is fed over said stationary bar at a predetermined respect to the rotative speeds of said respective rotating means, for the purpose 40. a paratus for treating ,fibrous material, t e combination of a stationary bar, a air of feed rollers adjacent one side of sal bar, rotating means Including a set of beater bars ada ted to ass the other side of said stationary bar an to bend the mate rial thereover in one direction, means rotating op osltely with respect to said first mentione rotating means and havin a set of beater bars adaptedto pass the a jacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the op osite direction, and means to drive said r0 are so that the material is fed over said stationary bar at a predetermined rate with respect to the rotative speeds of said res tiverotating means the eripheral speed eater abars being greater than that of the other, for the purpose specified.

41. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a. stationary bar, a pair of feed rollers adjacent one side of said bar rotatin means includin a plurality of beater iars adapted to pass-the other side of said stationary/bar and to bend the material thereorier; in oliiedirectiog), means rotati vopposite y wit -respect saidfirst meiit ionedfl rotating nieans hut at the same speed and havinga, l i' beater bars adapted-{to t e i edges of the respective first mentioned ater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the op its direction, and means to drive said r0 ers so that the material is fed over said stationary bar at a predatormined rate with respect to the rotatlve speed of said respectiverrotating means, the radii of one of said rotating means being greater mentioned roller, for the of one of said sets of the purpose specified.

42. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar,

means adjacent one side of said bar for feeding the material to be treated thereover, means adjacent the other side of the bar for bending the material over that side of the bar, and a bar floatingl supported over said first mentioned bar, 2hr the purpose specified.

43. In apparatus for treatin fibrous material, the combination of a t rame, a stationary bar mounted on said frame, a roller journaled in said framevat one side of said bar, means adjacent the other side of said bar for bending the material over that side of the bar, a pair of arms pivotally connected at their inner ends to said frame, a roller rotatably' associated with said arms 'and oo-operating with said first mentioned roller, means adapted to draw the outer ends of said arms toward said first mentioned roller, a second pair of arms pivotally connected at their outer ends to said respective first mentioned arms, and a second bar positioned ,over said first mentioned bar and connected to the inner ends of said second mentioned arms, for theopurpose specified.

'44. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar,

means adjacent one side of said bar for feeding the material to be'treated thereover, rotating means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the'other side of said stationary bar and to bend the material thereover 111 one direction, means rotating op ositely with respect to said first -mentione rotating means and having a pinrality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over saidedges in the opposite direction, and a bar floatingly supported over said stationary bar, for the purpose specified. v

45. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar, means adj ac'entone side of said bar for feeding the materiaL to. betreated thereover, rotating meansoincluding a set of beater bars adapted to pass the other side of said stationary bar and to bend the material thereover in one direction, means rotating 0 positely with respect to said first mentione rotating means and havin a set of beater bars adapted to pass theadjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the opposite direction, and a bar floatingly supported over said stationary bar, the peripheral speed of one of said sets of beater bars being greater than that of the" other, for the purpose specified.

46. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar, means adjacent one side of said bar for feeding the material to be treated thereover, rotatin means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the other side of said stationary bar and to bend the material thereover in one direction, means rotating op ositcly with respect to said first mentione rotating means but at the same speed and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the opposite direction, and a bar floatmgly sup-' ported over. said stationary bar, the radii of one of said rotatin means being greater than those of the ot er rotating means, for the purpose specified.

JOHN N. sEIJvIG.

42. In apparatus for treating fibrous ma' terial, the combination of a stationary bar,

' means adjacent one side of said bar for feeding the material to be treated thereover, means adjacent the other side of the bar for bending the material over that side of the bar, and a bar floatingl su ported over said first mentioned bar, or t e purpose specified.

43. In apparatus for treatin fibrous material, the combination of a rame, a stationary bar mounted on said frame, a roller journaled in said frameiat one side of said bar, means adjacent the other side of said bar for bending the material over that side of the bar, a pair of arms pivotally connected at their inner ends to said frame, a roller rotatably associated with said arms and co-operating with said first mentioned roller, means adapted to draw the outer ends of said arms toward said first mentioned roller, a second pair of arms pivotally connected at their outer ends to said respective first mentioned arms, and a second bar positioned ,over said first mentioned bar and connected to the inner ends of said second mentioned arms, for the,purpose specified.

44, In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar,

means adjacent one side. of said bar for feeding the material to be'treated thereover, rotating means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass theother side of said stationar bar and to bend the material thereover In one direction, means ro tatin op ositely with respect to said first mentione rotatlng means and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adj acent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the opposite direction, and a bar floatingly supported over said stationary bar, for the purpose specified.

45. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar, means adjacent one side of said bar for feeding the material. to. betreated thereover, rotating meansjincluding a set of beater bars adapted to pass the other side of said stationary bar and to bend the material thereover in one direction, means rotating 0 positely with respect to said first mentione rotating means and havin a set of beater bars adapted to pass their jacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the opposite direction, and a bar fioatingly supported over said stationary bar, the peripheral speed of one of said sets of beater bars being greater than that of the" other, for the purpose specified.

46. In apparatus for treating fibrous material, the combination of a stationary bar, means adjacent one side of said bar for feeding the material to be treated thereover, rotatinv means including a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the other side of said stationary bar and to bend the material thereover in one direction, means rotating op ositely with respect to said first mentione rotating means but at the same speed and having a plurality of beater bars adapted to pass the adjacent edges of the respective first mentioned beater bars and to bend the material over said edges in the opposite direction, and a bar floatmgly sup-' ported over. said stationary bar, the radii of one of said rotatin means being greater than those of the ot er rotating means, for the purpose specified.

JOHN N. sEIlvIG.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 13011984,

plication'of John N. Selvig, of Chicago, and Apparatus for Treating Fibrous '1926, upon the a meat in Metho s of granted October 5, Illinois, for an .improve- Material, errors ap ear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 8, line 87, c aim 25, after the word case in' the Patent Oflice.

material insert the words at certain out the words bent over the edge and that the said read with these corrections therein that the places, and line 88, strike letters Patent should be same may conform to the record of the Signed and sealed this 3Qth day of November, A. D. 1926.

I M. J. MOORE, Acting Umnmiaaioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,601,984, granted October a, 1926, upon the a plication'of John N. Selvig, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improvement in Method; of and Apparatus for Treating Fibrous Material, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 8, line 87, claim 25, after the word material insert the words at certain laces, and line 88, strike out the words bent over the edge and that the said letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case inthe Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of November, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Umnmissioner of Patents. 

